MONROE, CT — The last time Masuk High’s football team was on the field was last December when Wilton defeated the Panthers in the Class MM State Playoff semifinals. Fast-forward to this Friday night, Sept. 13, and the same teams will open the 2024 campaign with a rematch at Masuk’s Benedict Stadium Field. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
The Panthers have been working hard through the summer to prepare for the season and are poised for another deep playoff run led by Coach Steve Christy and a core of talented seniors.
Masuk is returning 13 seniors this year from a team that had a successful regular season, earned the No. 2 seed in Class MM, and defeated No. 4 Cheshire in the quarterfinals before falling to No. 3 and eventual runner-up Wilton.
Seven of the returning seniors are on a powerful defense that was the backbone for Masuk last year. Players to watch on defense are linebackers Nick Fox and Ryan Putnam. Fox led the team in tackles last year. At 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, Putnam is a force, with great speed for his size and he is always around the ball.
Seniors Billy Alvarado and David Marciano round out a strong defensive front for Masuk, while Tariq Al-Hameedi and Jayden Cassese control the secondary.
On offense, the Panthers bring back plenty of talent. Senior twins Gavin and Shane Walker, running back and wide receiver respectively, along with receiver Max Viglione will help lead the scoring attack. The Walker brothers are dynamic players who are coming off a strong season. At 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, Viglione is a solid player and a great complement to the Walkers on the field, Christy notes.
Anchoring the offensive line at center is senior Sebastian Nicholas, who is a four-year starter at that position. Under center this year taking over at the quarterback position is sophomore Aaron Champagne. He completed 25 of 49 pass attempts in two starts last year, averaging over 250 yards a game.
Christy is excited about the start of the season and said the Panthers have tremendous leadership from their seniors Nicholas Fox, Max Viglione, Ryan Putnam, Tariq Al-Hameedi, Luke Longo, Shane Walker, Gavin Walker, Jayden Cassese, David Marciano, William Alvarado, Sebastian Nicholas and Daniel Gomes.
“I’m looking forward to it very much,” Christy said. “We have one goal: Beat Wilton.”
Masuk is not looking past its week one opponent, Christy said, but taking a peek at the schedule it doesn’t get any easier for the Panthers who follow up the opener with four straight road tilts.
They travel to Enfield Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. The next week they visit New Canaan, which garnered the top preseason ranking, for a Sept. 27 game at 7 p.m. Then come a pair of potentially challenging South-West Conference matchups. After an Oct. 4 visit to Bunnell of Stratford the Panthers have a bye then head to New Milford Oct. 18. Both of those games are also at 7.
The Panthers also play SWC foes Bethel, Pomperaug of Southbury, Weston, Brookfield and Newtown. The annual Thanksgiving Eve clash with Newtown will be played in Monroe Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 6 p.m.
